Replies

1. 
   MarkH | Jul 04, 2014 08:19pm | #1

   Order a wood cabinet door that is the right style and size to fit the dishwasher, and attach it to the dishwasher.  You may be able to hinge it at the bottom and cover the controls.  High power rare earth magnets could be used to hold the panel closed.

1. 
   Tommasini53 | Jul 05, 2014 10:15am | #3

   Thank you, an interesting solution.  I will look around on the www and see if I can find an example.  Have you tried this technique??   thanks again. - adam

1. 
   MarkH | Jul 06, 2014 08:34am | #4

   No, I have not tried this, and many dishwashers would probably be difficult to do this way.  The release handle may be in a bad area for this to work, the front may not be flat, etc.  The best type of dishwasher would have the controls on the top of the door, not on the front of the door, the release and vent would also be at the top.

   Here is a near ideal door to cover.

   http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-Adora-Top-Control-Dishwasher-in-Stainless-Steel-with-Stainless-Steel-Tub-and-Steam-PreWash-DDT575SSFSS/204417242?N=5yc1vZc3poZ1z11ao3

   It has an LED on the top that I would rather not cover up myself.  So that could be an issue.  You could remove the handle and reuse it over the wood panel.

1. 
   DanH | Jul 06, 2014 08:45am | #5

   One would need to think about how the unit vents.  Some vent at the bottom of the door and the humid air would likely cause the wood to warp in short order.

2. 
   DanH | Jul 04, 2014 08:50pm | #2

   We once had an Admiral with this feature, but that was about 30 years ago.

   (IIRC, it was a separate feature you could buy -- a frame that fit around the door and secured the panel in place.)

3. 
   finefinish | Jul 06, 2014 02:09pm | #6

   The magnet idea is very smart.  I just wonder if the panel would stay exactly in place leaving you with nice reveals all around.  I have used double stick tape, believe it or not, to attach wood frame and panel fronts to dishwashers.  The first time was after remodeling a kitchen where the homeowner wanted to keep their newer white dishwasher thinking it would blend with the white painted cabinetry.  In the en,  they weren't happy with the look so I made a panel that matched the cabinet doors, except with a 1/4" plywood panel instead of the 1/2" MDF to keep it lighter.  I applied 3M double stick tape to the rails and stiles, cleaned the front of the dishwasher and stuck it.  Fifteen years later it is still in exactly the same place as when I walked away from it - I know because I see it regularly as they are great clients of mine.  On another job my clients bought a house that came with all new very high end stainless appliances but  cheap cabinets.  We buiilt new cabinets and they were able to get the door kit for the refrigerator but one was not available for the dishwasher.  I again used the tape method with sucess and even replaced the metal toe kick with a short section of painted wood which completed the built-in look.  I would recommend this method with confidence.  The added weight did not affect the function of the doors on either of my jobs and I know newer dishwashers have adjustability built in to the tension that lifts and lowers the door.